I pulled off the drivers side door panel this weekend and found water damage along the bottom edge of it (particle board). I wished I could have let it dry but it started raining... anyway I noticed on some older postings that there should be a plastic watersheild behind the door panel. I did not see one on the drivers side (only side I've worked on so far). Could someone send me a photo or describe what this plastic watershield looks like cos it sounds easy enough to just make one and tack it on with something (tape, silicon, etc). Coming from Vancouver, BC my 245 could use all the moisture protection it can get.

Thanks

Thanks for all the tips, you know what I'll be doing this weekend... hopefully the sun comes out so I can work on the brakes too.

A watershield is an easy one to make- I used some 7mil poly sheeting - the clear stuff. Simply cut out a piece that is roughly the size of the door then stick it on w/silicone. Trim the edges and reattatch the doorpanel.
It may not be factory spec, but it worked for me (also in Vancouver)

Cheers
-e

Down in the bottom of the door there are drain holes, I think at either end of the cavity. With the door opened up, you have the opportunity to clean out that bottom area, clear the drain holes, and lubricate absolutely everything in there, most especially the linkage connecting to the outside door handle.

If you have the time, that outside handle unit is easy to remove and thorougly clean and lubricate. Also, it's a chance to clean and wax around the hole where the latch fits in.

Use a good lithium grease, and too much won't hurt anything. Do the hinges, too. You may need a grease gun with a special conical tip. You'll feel the difference. Don't start slamming the door!

The water shield is taped onto the door, not the trim panel. Where the speaker pokes into the door, cut the shield so a big flap can be pushed into the hole behind the speaker. I messed up on this one and occasionally a rain storm will cause water to drip down out of the speaker grille. Yow!!

I used a 2 mil or heavier painter's plastic drop cloth from ACE Hardware, less than $6.00 USD.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Forget about it and just cut up some plastic sheeting for a new one. The "waterproof" sheeting was typically paper, which worked on the concept that disintegration = protection.

Duct tape is the preferable adhesive for holding it up. For the ones I've done on my cars, I put extra tape around the openings for reinforcement.

-- Kane

--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup, back - '86 245GL/AW70

Check the bottom cavity of your door. There usually lies the remains of the sound deadening material and other decomposing interior parts. Maybe it's in there.
--
'86 245 DL Volvo Blue/ Blue Vinyl M46

Some years got a paper water shield. Boy, if this isn't the stupidest idea.

Check your passenger door to see if there's any remains of the paper one. Use it as a template to make one out of 3 mil plastic and duct tape.